Recruiting Recap: Smith the latest to join USC’s class

DB DJ Smith of Marietta, GA announced a commitment to USC over Tennessee Monday night becoming the Gamecocks’ 17th commitment for the 2014 class. Smith made his announcement on Fox Sports South. “I feel like it was just the best fit,” Smith said after making his announcement. “Location wise it is very close to home, like two to three hours. Coach (Grady) Brown has been like a second daddy. He’s been there for me. He’s been truthful. I feel like he’s been straight forward with me from the get so. And I just feel like its my best chance for early playing time. So I feel like it’s my best decision.” Smith is a cornerback which is the major position of need on the Gamecocks’ defense. Last season Smith was in on 77 tackles with 2 interceptions. “He’s a very good cover corner,” said his coach Rocky Hidalgo. “He’s physical enough to play safety. I think he’s got a chance to be an exceptional player.” Smith is scheduled to visit USC this weekend and Tennessee January 24th. In text messages after his announcement, Smith confirmed he would take his visit to Tennessee but said his commitment to the Gamecocks is solid.

St. Josephs RB Andre Stoddard (5-10 220) committed Monday night to Wofford. This season Stoddard rushed for 1918 yards and 28 touchdowns. As a junior he rushed for 2775 yards and 40 touchdowns.

It’s not just a USC-Georgia battle for DB Wesley Green of Lithonia, GA. Green revealed Monday night Ole Miss is squarely in the running and is in fact tied with USC at the top of his list. “Because of coach Grantham leaving (Georgia) that’s put Ole Miss ahead of them,” Green said. “South Carolina is actually tied up with Ole Miss.” Green added that he’s been in contact with the Rebels for some time. “They always were a factor with me some this summer. I talked to coach Jones a lot. Me and my dad went there for a visit and he took me on a tour of the campus. Me and coach Jones been talking a pretty good amount.” Green will take his official visit to USC this weekend and is looking at visiting Ole Miss on the 24th and Georgia on the 31st. Green was once a USC commitment so he’s already very familiar with the Gamecocks as he comes in for his official visit. “Look to see if I’m comfortable being around the players and the coaches and seeing how it would feel to be there the next three to four years. Mainly just making sure that if I did choose that school that it would be the right place for me.” Green will bring his parents and little brother with him and will arrive Friday. Green said he talks with USC recruiters Lorenzo Ward and Grady Brown once a week. Green, of course, is aware of the coaching shakeup on the Georgia defense and said that does affect his thinking about the Bulldogs. “It kind of has an impact on me because that’s the DC and the opportunity to have a relationship with coach Grantham. I do not have hard feelings because I know it’s a business decision. I will try to go down and see their new coaches and I’ll just go from there.” Green had planned to take an unofficial visit with his father to Georgia this past Saturday but did not make it. Green will make his final decision soon after his Georgia visit and right now doesn’t plan to wait until Signing Day to announce.

Shrine Bowl WR Trevion Thompson of Durham, NC has taken official visits to NC State and Ohio State and will visit Clemson this weekend. According to his coach, Thompson will visit West Virginia January 24th and he might take a final visit to North Carolina. Coach Anthony King said Thompson is talking the most with Clemson, NC State, Ohio State and West Virginia. “He was also hearing from Vanderbilt but I don’t know how that’s going to work,” King said. “All the schools are still there.” Thompson made two unofficial visits to Clemson this season for the Georgia and Florida State games and his coach said this weekend’s visit will be instrumental in his decision making process. “He’s going to take it in and see it from an official view. He can now get to see the whole academic department and get around when it’s not a bit football game. He has a very good understanding of Clemson but he wants to see it with his own two eyes.” And the coach says at this point he sees no favorite for his star receiver. “What is a leader? If there’s a leader, he would be committed to somebody.” King said he’d like Thompson to hold out to the school’s signing ceremony on NSD before announcing but understands scholarships are getting tight and he might want to go public before then. Thompson will be joined by his parents on his Clemson visit.

Shrine Bowl DB Corey Seargant of Northwestern will take an official visit to East Carolina this coming weekend. He will visit Nebraska the following weekend.

DL KJ Ford of Bluffton will visit James Madison this weekend.

Junior RB Traveon Samuel (5-8 185) of Phenix City, AL has Clemson in his top five. He named Florida State, Auburn, Alabama, Ohio State and Clemson in that order. A new offer could shuffle his list. “Florida offered me this morning,” Samuel said. “I’m going to visit for their junior day. They could make my top five but I don’t really know right now.” Samuel does not have any other visits scheduled but did say he plans to visit Clemson in his future. He says the Tigers have maintained contact though he has not spoken with them recently. As for why the Seminoles are leading for his services, he explained. “Florida State is recruiting me the hardest, I like the way they do things and I like how they finished the season.” Samuel is also hearing from USC but is not sure of a future visit to Columbia. His offers include Clemson, Auburn, Florida State, Florida, Ohio State, California, Tennessee, Duke, North Carolina, NC State, South Florida and Southern Miss. As a junior, Samuel rushed for over 1,700 yards and 21 touchdowns.